Delhi to deepen 'people-centric' cooperation

India's high commissioner has said New Delhi is keen to deepen "people-centric" cooperation with Dhaka across all sectors, signalling willingness to engage constructively with Bangladesh's new government.

Speaking to reporters Sunday after courtesy meetings at the foreign ministry, Pranay Verma said India wanted to strengthen ties with Bangladesh in a "positive, constructive and forward-looking manner".

"We want to work together on the basis of mutual benefit and mutual interest," he said, following separate meetings with Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman and State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam.

Verma noted that India had consistently expressed its interest in building on the two countries' historic relationship and in further reinforcing their multifaceted bilateral partnership.

"We have conveyed our commitment to supporting Bangladesh as a democratic, progressive and inclusive country," he said. "In my meetings today, I essentially reiterated the same sentiment. I reaffirmed our position that we look forward to enhancing engagement with the new government of Bangladesh."

The envoy underlined that exchanges between the people of the two countries remained a crucial pillar of bilateral relations. "We have previously expressed our expectation of working together in a visionary manner to strengthen people-centric cooperation in all areas," he said. "People-to-people exchanges are an extremely important part of our bilateral relationship."

India, he added, hoped that both sides would move forward in a positive, constructive and future-oriented way, at a time when regional diplomacy and domestic political transitions are reshaping South Asia's strategic landscape.

mirmostafiz@yahoo.com